Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Ahron felt his entire body tremble as the blue light sucked him into the endless hole. He gasped for air at the end of the tunnel but only for a moment before he was knocked unconscious by an invisible force. His mind was conscious but his body and eyes refused to be waken. When he finally relaxed, he could almost hear the bustling sound of people walking by. It was then that his face was splashed with cold water. Ahron snapped his head up with his eyes opened as he stared at the scene before him “Ah Hon, get to work!!” barked the owner.
Ahron looked around when the owner seemed to be talking to him “Me?” he asked himself while wiping the water off his face.
“Who else??” the restaurant owner threw him a towel “I told you only a ten minute break and you doze off for half an hour. Don’t worry, the money will be deducted from your pay.” He rambled on about how he had to cover for him and lost the many customers that couldn’t wait.
Ahron got up slowly as he observed his surroundings. He seemed to be in the middle of the Ching Dynasty. Men had long braided ponytails while women pulled two braids to the front. The clothes were simple and plain. He began cleaning tables blankly while pondering what the first challenge would be.
Just then, a distinguished gentleman walked in. An aura of wealth as he nodded to his companion whose head remained below the man’s chin “Yes, Sir.” He nodded and quickly waved for Ahron “We need a table for two please.”
Ahron nodded slowly “Sure. This way.” He led them to the back room, where he had no idea how he knew even existed “What kind of tea would you like?”
The young man again nodded to his servant and he spoke directly to Ahron “Chrysanthemum tea and a few simple chicken dishes.”
“Coming right up!” Ahron replied perkily. He walked to the kitchen and ordered a few easy made dishes. His mind began to wander, the man was not ordinary, he could sense it. He came from a royal family.
Ka Chan turned to the King with a sense of panic “Your highness, what if he knows?”
“He will if you call me that again.” The King said calmly while clasping his hands together over the table.
“Forgive me.” Ka Chan bowed his head and then lifted it “The Empress will not be pleased to find you gone.” He reminded the heir.
“It is okay. Once I gather up all the powerful leaders of the purital world, she will understand. And not only that, she will praise me of my intelligent idea when we defeat the Mongolians in war.”
“Yes, sir.” The nobleman nodded in agreement. He dared not to go against the King “Where is our next destination?”
“Hong Chow.” The King replied shortly.
Ahron returned minutes later with a pot of tea and a dish of white flour buns “Enjoy. The rest of your dishes will be right out.” He said directly to the King.
“Thank you.” The King finally spoke up. Maybe he did it by accident because he quickly cleared his throat and nodded to his servant.
“That is all.” Ka Chan gestured Ahron away.
Returning to the restaurant work, he began clearing tables and wiping the tops. After a good two hours, he was growing weary “How do mortals do this everyday?” he sighed. He had learned that although his powers remained, he felt like a human. He was tired and his arm ached.
“Stop mumbling and get that table some tea!!” the owner cried again.
Ahron lifted a brow at him, his eyes narrowed but when his wish did not occur, he sighed “Right, I can only use them for good.” He walked towards the table in defeat.
“SiuYee (waiter), I want to get some food to go.” A female voice asked.
He poured the tea while answering “Yes, coming right up.” He turned to the girl and halted. The girl was familiar, like he’s seen her somewhere. She wore a light blue silk outfit with a dark sword in her hands. Her one braid delicately wrapped around her neck as it sat undisturbed on her right shoulder. His eyes soaked her in from head to toe, she was adoring to look at but the smile was deceiving.
“What are you looking at?” she asked suspiciously.
Ahron quickly shook his head “Sorry, you looked familiar.”
Her wrinkled brows eased up as she nodded “I do not know you.” She looked around the tiny restaurant “Tell me, did two gentlemen walk through here? One is tall, dark and handsome…looks very wealthy. He does not say much while the other is cowered and acts like a servant.”
He smiled the minute he realized who she was talking about “Oh, them…yes. They did come here.” He waved his hand carelessly while getting back to cleaning tables.
“Where are they?!” she asked hurriedly while stepping closer to him.
Ahron straightened his back and crossed his arms with a curious look “A cheating husband?” he teased, “Wait, no… he couldn’t be. Not with a beautiful wife.” The girl rolled her eyes at his lame attempt to compliment her “They’re gone.”
“They did? Where did they go?” she asked with annoyance.
But he was having too much fun “I’m sorry, Siu Jei…I am just a waiter. I did not know part of my job was to keep track of the customer’s whereabouts?”
“You little smart mouth!” she cried while yanking out her sword, which then pointed at him “I’ve heard of little scoundrels like you.” The restaurant began bustling with people moving around as they stood far away from the girl and her draw sword.
The owner with trembling hands walked over with a nervous laugh “Heroine…please, I’m just trying to make a living. Don’t kill anyone in my restaurant…”
Her eyes narrowed as she eventually put away the sword “Fine. But owner, you need to find new help. This man is not worthy of such work.” She spat harshly.
Ahron raised a hand when the owner began to open his mouth “Say no more, I quit.” He threw the towel on the ground and walked out of the restaurant. The girl smiled victoriously as she turned to the owner and ordered her food. Ten minutes later, she emerged, ready to be on her way in search of the King. She was sent by the Empress to retrieve his majesty. Chou Yee was born in the royalty class and trained by the best swordsman. Although the Empress objected to a female bodyguard, she could not help but admit Chou Yee was good enough to protect her and the King.
Ahron stood outside the restaurant and he quickly spotted the girl. Following her from a distance, he trailed her to the outskirts of the town. Trees and bushes surrounded them but she seemed oblivious to her surroundings. Just when he doubted her, she paused and turned “Don’t you think it’s time for you to show your face?” he was hidden behind a tree.
Ahron crossed his arms as he refused to emerge. Suddenly, he heard a group of laughing men that appeared out from the trees above. His eyes darted upward where they jumped down and surrounded the girl. Her hand rested on the nape of the sword ready to attack if they were to harm her “You are not simple.” The leader of the pack said.
She snickered “Chou Yee is not afraid of mountain thieves!” She said without fear.
“Surrender your coins and I will let you go.” The man threatened.
Chou Yee smiled crookedly “If you want it, come and get it.” She yanked out her sword and began fighting with the men. Ahron watched from afar, she was not a bad swordsman but there were too many attackers. She would eventually lose, he analyzed.
When her faithful sword was knocked out of her hands, she was defeated back by the group of injured men. They stepped towards her laughing with amusement. Ahron knew it was time to intrude “Sorry gentlemen…I need to interrupt.”
The men turned to him with annoyance “Who are you?” one man spat.
“People call me Ah Hon.” He nodded “And what do they call you?”
“Your father!!” one quipped causing a stir of laughter ringing around the group.
“My father is a bastard, so that makes you a bastard?” Ahron replied just as quickly. Chou Yee stifled a laugh even though she was not fond of the guy. But at the moment, he was her savior.
“Why you!” the leader waved a hand forward causing the others to attack Ahron. Daggers and sabers came his way but he remained calm with each dodge, his hands carefully clasped behind his back.
When he grew bored, he return the attacks with each punch that threw each man yards away. One by one, they were defeated while Ahron smiled “Is that all you have?”
“Run!” the leader was holding onto his wound as he pointed towards the mountains.
Chou Yee watched them leave “You didn’t have to do that.”
Ahron raised his brows “Really? Why didn’t you say so…I wanted to watch them strip you of dignity while they searched for the two silver nuggets you have left.”
Her face fell as she touched her belt where her little blue bag dangled “How did you know?”
Quickly covering his God power, he cleared his throat “Just a wild guess. Well?” he asked.
“Well what?” she wrinkled her brows wondering if he was for the Ching or ManChu.
“A simple thank you will do.” He urged.
Chou Yee turned her head “I didn’t ask for your rescue.”
“And I didn’t ask to be jobless but I was...thanks to you.” He reminded her swiftly.
Her head snapped back “I’m sorry for that. I just had a very bad day.” She explained “But you can’t hear about it.” As if reading his mind, she informed him “Be on your way.” She retrieved her sword and cover as she began walking away.
“Where are you going?” Ahron asked as he trailed after her.
“Nowhere you should be.” She replied darkly “I don’t need a nuisance along the road.” After a few yards, she turned to him “Stop following me!”
Ahron laughed, “I didn’t know you own this road. I thought it belonged to the people?”
Her face growing red as she snapped, “It belongs to the King! You follow me again and I will kill you!” she pointed her sword at him dangerously.
He shrugged nonchalantly “Suit yourself. But if I split up with you, we will still be at the same place.”
“You have no idea where I’m headed.” She replied.
“You want to make a bet?” Ahron was confident.
Chou Yee was debating and after a few seconds, she nodded “What’s the bet?”
“If we meet again, you will allow me to go with you…wherever you are going to.” Ahron challenged.
“Fine.” She nodded firmly “I go first.” She turned and sprinted away down the trail leaving him smiling to himself. Miles down the road, she eventually stopped, her chest heaving tiredly. Chou Yee arched her neck “If I don’t win, I won’t be called Chou Yee.” Once her breathing returned, she continued on her way towards the next town. The day was getting later, she could tell by the setting sun. She came upon the town called Hong Chow.